Updated at 5:58 p.m., Saturday, June 2, 2007
It's a series again as Ottawa beats Anaheim in NHL
By Ira Podell
Associated Press
Daniel Alfredsson broke out of a scoring slump with the help of the replay booth, and Anaheim defenseman Chris Pronger deflected the go-ahead goal into his own net during Ottawa's three-goal second period, giving the Senators' a 5-3 victory over the Ducks today.
That was enough to cut Anaheim's series lead to 2-1 and ensure the Senators another trip to Southern California. They can get even with the Ducks with a win at home in Game 4 on Monday night.
Alfredsson had been searching for a bit of luck during a frustrating two-plus games against the Ducks checking line of Samuel Pahlsson, Travis Moen and Rob Niedermayer. He got it when Wade Redden's shot from the left point hit the Senators captain in the left skate, as he charged the net, and slid past goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere to tie it 3-3 with 3:46 left in the second.
Referee Dan O'Halloran immediately waved off the power-play goal before going to the phone at the scorer's table. The good news got to the Senators bench before the official replay ruling was announced, and Ottawa coach Bryan Murray happily shook his fist shortly before O'Halloran pointed to center ice to signal the goal.
Alfredsson, who leads the NHL with 11 playoff goals, was mobbed at the bench by teammates. They appeared every bit as relieved for Alfredsson, the only person to play in all 97 postseason games since the Senators franchise was reborn in 1992.
The Ducks had won five straight since falling behind 2-1 to Detroit in the Western Conference finals.
Ottawa, which managed only two power-play goals in the first two games at Anaheim, took its first lead since the opener on Pronger's gaffe. That was enough to give the current Senators franchise its first win in the finals.
The boisterous crowd of red-clad fans was still buzzing about Alfredsson's goal when Oleg Saprykin shook off Francois Beauchemin's big check behind the Anaheim net. He came out of the corner and got the puck to Dean McAmmond, who blindly slung the puck behind his back toward the crease. Pronger deflected it and couldn't sweep it away before it found the open right side at 18:34.
Giguere angrily kicked the puck away from the crease in his worst performance of the playoffs. He hadn't allowed more than three goals in his previous 15 appearances, but was tagged for five on 29 shots.
